Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

There are few things greater in life than Homemade Mozzarella Cheese. It may seem daunting, but once you realize just how easy it is to make, you won’t be able to stop yourself from making it all the time.

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese is a mix of science and cooking. With a velvety texture and packed with flavor you will be making it all the time.

HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA CHEESE! I will admit, when I first posted this, I lacked confidence in myself and bought a backup ball of fresh mozzarella cheese just in case. Honest truth? I didn’t need it and neither will you.

You will need a few specific ingredients for this recipe that you probably don’t have in your pantry. The first one is rennet which is an enzyme that helps milk coagulate or come together into cheese curds.

Rennet can often be purchased at beer or cheese making stores, specialty grocers, or online. If you are a vegetarian, be sure to purchase animal rennet as some are not veggie friendly.

Most recipes also call for a special cheese salt. Cheese salt is used at different points during the cheese making process. It helps to expel moisture or why, enhance flavor, preserve, and discourage any unwanted organisms.

Many individuals will substitute kosher salt for this ingredient, which I am sure will work just fine, but for the price (relatively inexpensive), I decided to spring for the cheese salt.

You will also need citric acid for this Homemade Mozzarella Cheese. The good news is this is easier to find. Most grocery stores will have this and can often be found in the canning aisle.

Other items on your shopping list: a candy thermometer, cheesecloth (go figure!), a slotted spoon, plastic gloves, and a non-reactive pot. Stainless steel or enamel are going to be what you are looking for.

When all of that is assembled, you are ready to start your cheese making!

I should also make a note here. This recipe cheats just a touch. I used a microwave. Old school cheesemakers would be horrified, but I only have so many hours in the day. Less time in the kitchen makes more time for enjoying cheese!

If you loved this Homemade Mozzarella Cheese recipe, be sure to check out these other recipes to pair it with:

Start by dissolving rennet in 1/4 cup water. Then pour milk into a large non-reactive pot. Place the thermometer in the pan and secure to the side.

Sprinkle citric acid powder over top, store the remainder for later use. Stir dissolved rennet into milk. Stir for one minute. Heat milk to 90 degrees and hold steady at that temp. This was a little more challenging with an electric cooktop than gas, but I got it to work! Do not heat over 90 degrees.

After 5-10 minutes, milk will start to separate, cheese curds from whey. Cheese curds will be a silky, gelatin-like substance. Whey is a liquidy, yellow substance, look around the edge in the picture. Using a large knife, cut curd into a checkerboard pattern with squares equaling 1×1 inches.

Continue to heat milk mixture to 110 degrees for 20 minutes. Be mindful that it does not go over 110 degrees. Cheese will continue to separate.

Line a colander with cheese cloth. Pour mixture into colander to drain. Dump cheese curds into a microwave-safe dish. Discard whey.

Microwave on high for 1 minute. Drain off the whey. Wearing plastic gloves to combat the heat, knead and stretch for 30 seconds. Heat on high for an additional 30 seconds or until it reaches 135 degrees. Curds will be really hot.

Add cheese salt. Wearing plastic gloves will prevent some of the heat from scalding your hands. As much as you can, knead the dough like you would bread. Start to pull and stretch. It might not be stretchy like silly putty, but it will still be okay. Continue to knead and stretch until it is one mass and not falling apart.

Mold into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and Italian breading dip seasoning.

Slice and serve! Enjoy your Homemade Mozzarella Cheese. Cheese will stay fresh for 2 days in the refrigerator, keep covered with olive oil to stay moist.

LOL I love it and you’re right they would be rolling in their graves. My grandmother is an amazing cook however she would agree about sparing time in the kitchen. I will have to share this with my italian grandmother